Portugal’s national minimum wage increased to €920 gross per month in 2026, continuing a trend of annual rises. However, the country remains below the European average. When adjusted over 12 months, the minimum wage amounts to €1,073, placing Portugal 12th among the 22 EU countries with a statutory minimum wage — a lower ranking than in 2025, according to Público.
Cyprus has now overtaken Portugal, leaving 11 EU countries with higher minimum wages, including Spain, France, and Germany. This comes despite an income agreement that guarantees annual increases of €50 until 2028.
Across Europe, the gap between highest and lowest wages remains significant. Luxembourg tops the table with €2,704, while Bulgaria sits at the bottom with €620. Even after adjusting for purchasing power, Portugal falls into the middle tier, with minimum wages ranging from €1,000 to €1,500. This places it well behind countries where the minimum wage carries the highest real value, such as Germany and the Netherlands.
For many Portuguese workers, the gap highlights ongoing challenges in achieving parity with other EU nations, despite consistent wage growth over recent years.